My Little Art Project

I decided to ditch F.H.E. tonight and spend a little quality time with me, myself and I. I saw this painting on Pinterest and decided I could probably do it. The inspiration orginally came from a print from World Market, which sells for over $100. If you're interested in seeing how it's done, visit this blog. It's SUPER easy (and inexpensive)!

Venting for a Sec

You know what bugs me? When people are late to work. Or late to anything, to be honest. I am at work on time every day. I leave plenty early in case of heavy traffic, accidents, etc. I want to put in an honest day's work. If I am being paid for working 8-5, then I need to be there from 8-5.

I saw this quote on Pinterest and can definitely relate: "The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it." I often find myself being the first one to work (and the last one to leave), the first one to activities, etc. And I am all by myself because other people don't choose to make being punctual a priority in their life.

Ok. I'm done venting. Be on time people!!! :)

My Awesome Weekend in Idaho

Right after work on Friday I headed up to the land of potatoes. I stayed in Idaho Falls on Friday night with my former roommate, Jen. We had a blast. We had frozen yogurt at Kiwi Loco, walked around the temple and stayed up talking. The next morning she made me waffles and I went out to her backyard and met the family cows. :)

Then, I headed to the 'burg. Christi and I went to the bookstore and I bought a new BYU-Idaho shirt. We had lunch at Gator Jacks (really good sandwiches! I so wish they were here in Utah). That afternoon, Christi had a basketball game (she's in intramurals). I dropped her off at her practice and then stopped by and visited some of my former roommates. I didn't tell people I was coming, because I knew it was going to be a quick trip and I may not get to see everyone. It was so fun to see their surprised faces when I showed up!

I then went to Christi's game. Her team won. After that, Christi, her roommate Lindsay and I had dinner at "Da Pineapple Grill." (actual name). The food was pretty good.

Later that evening I was Christi's chauffeur around town. We went a few places.

Oh, I failed to mention... we stopped by Broulim's, one of two grocery stores in Rexburg, for old times sake. I heard they had expanded quite a bit and I wanted to see it. Didn't even recognize the place! Lol.

Saturday evening we just kind of chilled. I took pics of the Rexburg temple. We also ended up at "The Cocoa Bean," a popular dessert place in Rexburg. We got ultimate brownie ice cream and decided that it's possibly the best ice cream we've ever had.

This morning I went to church with Christi and her roommates. We came home, had lunch, and I took a short nap before heading home.

It was a really good weekend! I probably gained 20 lbs and I am so tired, but it was worth it!

Rexburg is pretty much the same. There are some new apartment complexes and a few little additions to campus, but really it felt like I never left (even though it's been 9 months since I was last there!).

I must say, I'm glad I'm done with school, but I do miss the awesome atmosphere of campus. It was fun to be back!

Are We Not all Mothers?

As Mother's Day is approaching, I can't help but think of the talk given by Sheri Dew entitled, "Are We Not all Mothers?" Even though I am not officially a "mother" I am blessed to be able to be an Aunt to 6 precious children, and next month it'll be 7. Sister Dew states, "Motherhood is more than bearing children. … It is the essence of who we are as women." I may not have borne children myself, but I am still a mother.

I think it is important this Mother's Day, and every day really, to keep in mind those women who cannot bear children or have not yet had the opportunity to do so. While they do not have children of their own, many of them still love and care for children. Many of them long to have kids to call their own.

I was deeply saddened recently while I was riding the train to hear some people talking about how children are a "burden." I felt like shouting, "Don't you know what a blessing children are?! Don't you realize that there are thousands of people in this world who would give anything to have their own children?!"

I love what Sister Dew says, "We just can’t let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

All of us women are mothers. How and if we choose to live up to that title is up to us.

They've Arrived!

My Chacos came in the mail today! I love them! I've been wanting a pair for years. Now that I'm working and making the big bucks (ha ha, not even close), I took the plunge and made the purchase. I got them 20% off too.

Can't wait to wear them all summer long (when I'm not working)!

Idaho. This Weekend.

I'm going to Idaho on Friday after work. Just wanted to let you all know, 'cause I'm kind of looking forward to it! :) On the agenda: Gator Jacks (a yummy sandwich place), Kiwi Loco (frozen yogurt), Rexburg temple, and visiting everyone I possibly can. I haven't been back since last July, so this visit is way overdue. Definitely looking forward to getting away for a couple of days!

Busy, Busy, BUSY!!!

Oh my goodness! My life is crazy. Working full-time and fitting everything else in can be challenging! I had something going on every single night of this week. Then, today I woke up and helped get the house ready... my Aunt and Uncle stopped by for a quick visit. They are in the MTC and are going on a mission to Mexico. (Senior missionaries have a lot more freedom than the younger ones.) So, they stopped by. They'll be back tomorrow. After their visit I went to SLC with some friends for the afternoon. We visited City Creek, the new mall downtown (pics are up on Facebook and will be up here soon). Then, I ran to the store to get a wedding present, ran home, changed my clothes and went to a wedding reception. This makes wedding #3 in 3 weeks! So insane. Life never slows down, does it? (I guess I add to the problem because I feel like I have to attend every function... maybe sometime I'll learn that I can't do everything!)So glad tomorrow is Sunday (wish I had time for a nap, though)!

By the way... I'm working on changing my blog background. For now, white is what we've got.

My Thoughts on Motorcycles

This morning I woke up and got ready for work like usual. I was running a couple of minutes later than normal, though. I hadn't been on the freeway too long when traffic started to slow down. What I witnessed this morning has been running through my mind all day. There had been a car accident. It must have just barely happened; the paramedics were not there yet. There was a man lying in the middle of the freeway and a lady doing CPR on him. He was gone. (Side note- I can't help but think what could have happened if I had been running on time today. Maybe my running late was just the right amount of time for me to avoid being involved in the accident. Who knows.)

I haven't been able to get over it all day. I am a pretty sensitive person and this just really hit (pardon me using that word) me. Life can be gone in an instant. The man who died was someone important to some one out there. His poor family is probably having a very hard time. This was a big reminder to me of what is really important. I think Heavenly Father knew I needed that reminder.

Now, my thoughts on motorcycles. All growing up I knew them as "murdercycles." Apparently my Grandpa witnessed a motorcycle accident and coined the term. The man that died in the accident today was on a motorcycle. I learned from news reports that he was trying to switch lanes and traffic was very congested and he ran into the back of a car.

In the early '90s I, -along with my mom, a couple of siblings and some family friends- was in involved in a car accident involving a motorcycle. The motorcycle hit our minivan. Our family friend was pregnant at the time, and thankfully everyone was ok (although, my Mom has suffered from her injuries for years). I'll never forget the fear I had as a little girl as I saw my mom covered in blood in the van.

If you haven't gathered, I am strongly against motorcycles. Look at the damage they can do. Losing your life is not worth it.

Please be careful out there. Please remember what is most important. Life is short.